What Do Colleges Want? How to Write a Winning College Application Essay

Colleges Want High-Impact Recruits  College students represent an investment by the university.  The university wants students who will make a difference and be remembered years later.

An Example of College Celebrities Celebrity also helps. For example, Chelsea Clinton & Stanford, Brooke Shields & Princeton—pay off in endowments & publicity is huge.

Initiative and Passion  Colleges look for students who show initiative and passion.

Definition of Initiative and Passion Initiative means going beyond basic requirements to achieve something significant, e.g. taking classes at the community college. Passion means devotion to a sport, team, theatre, or whatever area of interest you have.

Admission Officers  Most Admission Officers are from a working-class background, not “upper crust.”  They are people, and just like anyone, can be influenced by your story or choice of words.

Rich Vs. Poor  Rich kids have a disadvantage. Perception is this: “How can this kid show initiative when every time he’s ever wanted something, someone simply gave it to him?”

Jobs for “Rich Kids” to Consider If you are a “lucky affluent” student—work to dispel this prejudice by taking a less-exalted job, such as bagging groceries or field work.

Jobs for All Kids to Consider  Best jobs, including volunteer work, tie into your field of interest, e.g. hockey player works in a sporting good store, musician works in a music store, etc.

What All Kids Can Consider  Consider hobbies leading to jobs  Consider experiences from your family & travels, e.g. life in other countries  Consider household responsibilities, e.g. care for younger or older family members, cooking, etc.

Building Your Personal Profile 1. List five people who have influenced you. 2. What did each of the five people contribute in qualities or education?

Personal Profile Continued 3. Describe three significant lessons you have learned. 4. Describe three memorable experiences you have had. 5. Discuss a failure that taught you something.

Personal Profile Continued 6. Describe your greatest success. 7. Discuss your definition of success. 8. Discuss your definition of happiness.

List three virtues that you admire and respect.  Faith/fidelity  Trust  Hope  Justice  Honesty  Perseverance  Humility  Patience

Describe significant lessons you have learned.  Did you ever lose something that you thought was valuable and discover something better in its place?  Is there anything that you did not think you could accomplish or were afraid to try, but that you managed to complete?

Describe memorable experiences you have had.  An event that happened to you with one of your parents that helped you to get to know them in a more meaningful way.  Something that you did that changed your life… and that you cannot do again the same way (A rite-of-passage experience)

Find quotes that mean something to you.  Choose quotes that inspire you and give you something to discuss that comes easily to you.  Do not explain the quotes. Let them create a thought response that you put on the paper in writing.

Describe your Greatest Success  Fame is not the equal to success.  Success is your personal definition.  Think of all your successes—no matter how small or how secret.  Think of what success is not, and write this down.

Name 5 Things You Know  “Knowledge is power.”  Here are some gems written by other future college students: “There is a time to give friendly advice and a time not to, because there are experiences everyone must go through…” “Love of the heart is more important than love of the face.”

More Student Ap Wisdom  “Before you start to play the game, make sure you know the rules.”  “People must know when they are the boss and when they are the employee; to confuse these rules is a disaster.”

Discuss your Definition of Happiness  Determining what makes you happy will help you determine your goals for your life.  Make a list (hopefully a long one) of what makes you happy—things, objects, moments, people, sights, sounds, places…

My Happiness List  Ice cream, camping, standup paddling, hiking, cross country skiing, traveling, biking, cooking, seeing family, going to concerts, chocolate, good Mexican food, good Italian food, swimming, gardening, great romance (I knew you’d like that one:-D). There is NO order to this list!

What Do Your Parents and Friends Think About You?  Your assignment: Interview 10 different people who know you well.  Ask them to give you 3 adjectives to describe you.  Ask them to give you 3 action words (verbs) to describe you.

What Is the Funniest Thing That Ever Happened to You?  You should be able to laugh at yourself.  The anecdote should reveal something about yourself.

What Makes the World Go Round?  A great leader is a visionary.  List your areas of concern, e.g. pollution, poverty, violence, aging, medicine, etc.  Pick one topic and write what you think and why. Imagine a better future.